Can a person with a tattoo be buried in a Jewish cemetery?

Question:

Is it true that if I have a tattoo I cannot be buried in an Orthodox cemetery? I’m not referring to Holocaust markings.

Answer:

The Torah1 forbids us from tattooing our bodies. Nonetheless, one who has had tattoos can still buried in a Jewish cemetery.

That said, every Jewish burial society has the right to enact its own criteria for who may and may not be buried in their plot. This stems from people’s desire (or right?) to be buried in proximity to others of their choosing. So while technically there is nothing in Jewish law which prohibits a tattooed person from being interred in a Jewish cemetery, certain burial societies—not the majority of them, or even close—will not bury among their own a person who willingly tattooed him- or herself, as it is a permanent exhibition of violation of Jewish Law.

This practice by certain burial societies led to the common misconception that this ban was an inherent part of Jewish law.

tattoo woes
I really want a small tattoo (like a barely noticeable tattoo) but I know my parent's dislike tattoo's. Another thing that makes this a difficult decision is that I have a pretty strong connection with my jewish faith which makes going against a part of my faith that's voiced pretty often in the jewish community makes me feel really on edge.
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Mrs. Chana Benjaminsonvia mychabad.orgApril 16, 2015

To Amir
In that case there is no limitation due to a terrible thing that was beyond their control.
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Amir MamanLos Angeles April 15, 2015

What about if they are from the holocaust and they have their numbers that were not their choice. What do we do in that case?
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I got a tattoo when I was 21, in the army and a Christian. Years later I converted to Judaism. Who will tell me I have sinned?
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ESLoweAustraliaJune 11, 2014

Tattooing
As a non-Jew I nevertheless have deep forebodings about tattooing. I believe there are strong links with the occult in the practice. Tattooing (body piercing and scarification) in my mind, has links with has links with savagery and even cannibalism. I won't say more because I sound like a nutcase to many of you at this.

I note that as were move further and further from the Christian Era tattooing has became more prevalent in the "civilian" community. About 1/3 of Britons have tattoos these days.
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EddieUSA February 1, 2014

Here's a twist
I'm a Breast Cancer survivor. Probably the dreaded gene. After 15 years of starring at one side I had a beautiful tattoo placed on my breast. They can bury me in a non denominational cemetery with a smile on my face.
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jesse kaellisNew WestminsterJanuary 27, 2013

Hello?
After I'm dead you can feed me to wild animals for all I care.
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Daliah ukNovember 29, 2012

Whoever is Jewish and knows tattooing is forbidden and still gets one is really wrong. Is it so difficult not to get a tattoo? It clearly states in our Torah that you must not do it! Can't you resist this temptation? I am not observant myself but I think that one can keep at least the basics.
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Becca January 3, 2018

in response to Daliah :

It is not about resisting the temptation! It's about living your life freely. I am a Jew and I respect my religion!I want a tattoo because I want to, because of the Jewish laws I am unable to do. I am scared that the Jewish community will not accept me if I get a tattoo. I am not scared God will accept me. I am scared whether people will accept me, this is human foolishness.
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ruth housmanmarshfield, maNovember 28, 2012

judgmental ways of being
I meet a lot of people and they have tattoos. It's not something I would ever want, and I can easily decorate with those washable ones you get for children, if ever I want a rose on my arm or cheek. But those who do, have their personal reasons, and I wouldn't ever judge them for doing what they do. We live in a diverse world. I am against tattoos personally because we Jews were so branded, in those Hitler years.
I think it's All G_d and so for me, whatever happens in life, seems to be part of a far far bigger picture, and diversity for sure, is key. Not to bury a Jew in a Jewish cemetery because they "bear" a tattoo, seems incredibly judgmental, as it's the heart and soul of a person anyhow, that this story is all about. Nobody has the right to make such a judgment, and to prevent a burial. That's how I feel and I would take G_d up on that one, if it's forbidden. I believe we're actually here to think about these things, and that's the "crux" of the matter. it's about LOVE.
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EstherManchesterNovember 28, 2012

Mike
a tattoo is only skin deep and will decay when the flesh dies...this may be true but because of our beliefthat a person will be resurrected into their previous body then that body has to be whole and unblemished. The body is seen as holy in itself as we do mitzvot with it and it houses our soul. The soul's job is to elevate the body. We do many things to keep the soul together with the body even after death like the seven days of mourning and the anniversary of a person's death. The body is not just rubbish to be cast out. It's very interesting the way Judaism views the body, different from all other religions.
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Doris "Devorah" Bergman -SmithNovember 27, 2012

Using a tattoo to promote the rememberance of the Holocaust and Sept.11, 2001.
We are taught "never again", "always remember", to honor all who sacrificed so that we can live in peace and security, to "save one life is to save the world". Use of a tattoo in the 21st century has taken on a new meaning for many Hebrews. G-d gave us commandments. He especially gave us free will and strength of the spark of His Soul within each of us. I use my tattoo as a constant reminder of this. For each person who asks about the significance of it I thank Hashem that I encourage others to remember our shared responsibility. I am a mature female who prays that I succeed in my life's work.
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alyceNovember 27, 2012

Tattoo
My brother died and I have a tattoo with a broken heart. People do all sorts of things to their bodies. Does it not say that you have only ask your parents permission?
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Natalie AlushusaNovember 27, 2012

Tattoos and Jewish Burial
No one has the right to judge another. Hashem is the only one who we are accountable to on the end. Are you saying that all the Jewish soldiers with tattoos in Israel cannot be buried where their families want or in the soldier's cemetery?I have two tattoos over my chest with my two son's names and Hebrew verse.They are gone from this world,buried in Jerusalem. No one, NO ONE will prevent me from being laid to rest near them.
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AnonymousBoston, MANovember 27, 2012

Tattoo's
Holocaust survivors had tattoos placed on their arms by the Nazis’.
I don’t believe that any cemetery association should discriminate for their proper burial.
If they do…shame on them!
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Al Air Force DeployedNovember 27, 2012

Tattoo Removal
Serious question.... I had a tattoo before I studies in earnest the word of G_d…. I now have a tattoo and know it was wrong. I wish to have it removed for G_d in repentance. What is the best way to have it removed (cheaply?) and as a Rabbi – Do you think this is the right thing to do? I think it is – but will it matter? Maybe G_d is not going to care if I have a Tattoo or not.... But I now know I should NOT have done it. I am sorry and wish to attone...
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MikePeru, NYJune 11, 2012

Jews & Tattoos
God is not going to care if you are have a Tattoo or not, or if you are buried in a jewish cemetery or not.I believe that as long and you are faithful in love and service to the L-rd.A tattoo does not make you less jewish; a tattoo is only skin deep and will decay when the flesh dies.
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TonyFebruary 8, 2012

TATTOOS
I read that the Torah forbids certain types of tattoos (those associated with idolatry, as opposed to decorative ones). Is this true?

Another relevant fact to consider is that eating non kosher and not keeping the Sabbath are also sinful acts. Just because someone is a sinner or a rulebreaker, I don't know of anything in the bible that forbids burial for these types of infractions.
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AnonymousTel Aviv, IsraelJanuary 26, 2012

Do they remove your skin?
I've heard a much more horrible rumor that says that if you've got a tattoo it would be removed from your skin (literally cut the piece of the inked skin off of you) before your body will be buried.